Friday, September 22, 2017

It was an amazing ride! I must've been insane to simultaneously direct and produce the three plays of my trilogy. But when passion drives you sanity takes a back seat. I am done writing plays for now and will focus on my first love "acting" and the re-staging of past work. For plays are forever new with each new venue, cast, scenic design, etc. I am appearing in Noel Hall's choreopoem "Snapshots in Transit" in October and plan on remounting previous works next year. Thanks to my sister Sheila for videotaping the entire trilogy! Thanks again to The Puffin Foundation for helping to make the run of "Women You Thought You Knew" possible!The Grinder Video ClipsSilk Stockings and a Bible Video ClipsWild Child Video Clips

Saturday, April 8, 2017

It wasn't until the run of "Women You Thought You Knew" was almost over that I realized that I must've be totally out of my mind to attempt such a task as directing three plays simultaneously, as well as acting in a supporting role. But the deed was done.

Yes, there were trials... Many trials, as one of the plays was plagued with low morale and the firing of a lead actor less than a week before opening. Happily, we found a replacement who was off book in a matter of days and did a fantastic job! I shan't dwell on the negative, but just enjoy the photos.

Monday, March 13, 2017

Oh boy! Chorus girl Fannie Mae Brown aka "Della Starr" is serious about seeing your face in the place! Check out all the spicy ladies in the trilogy "Women You Thought You Knew"! "Della" will be doing what she does so well in "Silk Stockings and a Bible". Get your tix at: https://edgyladies.eventbrite.com

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

We have begun rehearsals of the trilogy "Women You Thought You Knew" and are going up as planned to honor Women's History Month and SWAN Day! Some of the cast members from the workshop productions were not able to return due to other commitments. However, I have managed to find major talents as replacements. Everyone is excited and love the stories. Tickets are now on sale!Women You Thought You Knew Tickets

Friday, September 30, 2016

Thanks to The Puffin Foundation I was able to put a deposit down to secure dates for the March 2017 run of my trilogy "Women You Thought You Knew" and "Blood Makes the Red River Flow" at the IATI Theatre. The "scandalous" and "spicy" will be struttin' their stuff for Women's History Month and SWAN Day!

Monday, September 19, 2016

The trilogy "Women You Thought You Knew" is coming to the stage in March 2017! The aging stripper, 1940's chorus girl, and Disco party girl are going to set the record straight! Who are you calling scandalous?They will be joined by the reluctant Creole concubine of the historical drama "Blood Makes the Red River Flow" in the play series made possible with a grant from The Puffin Foundation. Stay tuned for the Off Off Broadway venue, cast members, and tickets.

Friday, September 16, 2016

Did a walk-thru of an intimate, new theatre in the heart of the East Village's theatre district. I am pleased to announce they have dates in March to coincide with Women's History Month! I will announce the venue and the performance dates once I give my deposit. Again, thanks to The Puffin Foundation for making that possible! I can't believe that all three plays in my trilogy will finally have a full production in a single run. Historical!

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Thanks to a grant from The Puffin Foundation I have the funds necessary to put down a deposit and book dates for the full production of the entire trilogy "Women You Thought You Knew" along with my Creole historical play "Blood Makes the Red River Flow" for a play series. How apropos it would be to have the performances during Women's History Month in March 2017. Yes, it is only September but theatres book months ahead in NYC, and available dates in March are eluding me. However, I will keep searching before I give in to a February or April or May run. The struggle is REAL! Sigh...

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

What a wonderful start to my week when I checked my mail and found that I was given a grant toward the full production of my trilogy "Women You Thought You Knew" by the Puffin Foundation. It is my first grant ever and is a major help, because as you know... The struggle is REAL! The check will go toward rental of a theatre for a run of 12 shows of the entire 3 plays. Stay tuned!

What a wonderful start to my week when I checked my mail and found that I was given a grant toward the full production of my trilogy "Women You Thought You Knew" by the Puffin Foundation. It is my first grant ever and is a major help, because as you know... The struggle is REAL! The check will go toward rental of a theatre for a run of 12 shows of the entire 3 plays. Stay tuned!

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon when the 2nd workshop of play #3 in my trilogy, "Wild Child", was mounted. We had a lovely audience. The work has just begun in bringing the passion. Nice to see the bonding taking place among the cast, which is evident in these photos. That's a VERY important start...

Saturday, April 16, 2016

The cast of "Wild Child" is ready to rock and roll! Some cast members will be interviewed on my radio show "Multicultural Moments" and be photographed, videotaped, and interviewed at upcoming last rehearsals before hitting the stage on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at the Kraine Theatre. Check out the press release on Broadway World: WILD CHILD PRESS RELEASE

Friday, March 4, 2016

An entire trilogy and a beloved historical Creole drama with 4 women driven stories of some spicy, sassy, and edgy ladies without apology!!!!!!!! Four amazing casts of ladies and gents will touch your heart and soul this Summer.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Rehearsals begin in three weeks for the second workshop and full production of Wild Child. The new cast is amazing and includes three cast members from my film A Wound in Time. I've made all the necessary changes in the script and the cast to make this show equally as tight as the other two plays in the trilogy. Thanks to the first cast for their participation in helping me clear the vision!Welcome replacement cast members Jody Doo as lead "Susan Li"; Evan Davis as lead "Vet"; Jennifer Weiser as "Aunt Carol"; Christine Smith as "Aunt Muriel; Jason Torres as "Herman"; Shanae Harris as "Elena"; Wanning Jen as "Peter Li", and Lora Yuen as "Muquin". This is gonna be good! "Wild Child" goes up at the Kraine Theatre in The Village on Sunday, April 24th at 3pm. Presale tickets only $15 and $20 at the door. Purchase online at: WILD CHILD TICKETS

"Women You Thought You Knew: A Trilogy" "#1 The Grinder" Italian-American Lauren Lamonte, stage name "Diamond" is a stripper past her prime. But though her knees ache she can't give up her gig for feelings of abandonment as a child have her obsessed with survival. Will a one night stand after a date at 1970's Studio 54 change her life forever?

"#2 Silk Stockings and a Bible" Afro-American Fannie Mae Brown, a sassy former Cotton Club girl is a "church lady" with a past. As she reminisces about the days during the Golden Age of Swing are her regrets of the spicy past or the austere present?

"#3 Wild Child" Chinese-American free spirit Susan Li is disregarded by her mother and badgered by her younger corporate climbing brother. Her partying ways during the glory days of sex, drugs, and Disco makes her the black sheep of her image conscious family. When she befriends a shell shock, strung out Vietnam veteran, and a long lost Afro-Chinese aunt from the Bahamas shows up on the family doorstep is this a train wreck waiting to happen?

"Blood Makes the Red River Flow" in the green room of a New Orleans hotel in 1961 self-centered debutante Gabrielle Laviteaux-Montero Jones gets schooled by her grandmother about the sacrifice and rich history of her Creole ancestors during the early 1800's on the Red River in Louisiana.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

I had hoped to re-mount my spicy and delicious Creole historical drama "Blood Makes the Red River Flow" for Black History Month in February. However, due to not getting the funding I had hoped for I will try to bring it to the stage for the also appropriate "Women's History Month" in March. My trilogy "Women You Thought You Knew" will have a full production late spring or early summer as play #3 "Wild Child" needs to be re-workshopped.If you know my track record, you know that I never give up... Stay tuned.

It was such a joy being on board for Classical Theatre of Harlem's original holiday musical hit, "The First Noel"! The closing night party was also a New Year's Eve celebration. Congrats to Lelund and Jason and the amazing cast! Just look at the pics and the story they tell of a wondrous night.

Me and makeup artist for "A Wound in Time" Barbara Kent with star of "The First Noel" James Alexander

Me with star of "The First Noel" Tina Fabrique

Me and makeup artist for "A Wound in Time" Barbara Kent with star of "The First Noel"Soara Joye Ross

Me and makeup artist for "A Wound in Time" Barbara Kent with star of "The First Noel"Ashley Ware Jenkins

They partied hardy!

Moi in the lobby of the Apollo Theater Soundstage

Now I will resume saving my pennies and work on getting my plays mounted and resume the filming of "A Wound in Time"... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Even though it is such a struggle to try and support my own projects it is still such a joy to have the opportunity to work on the productions of others as they flourish. I am having so much fun being in my element. Whether on stage or back stage it is always home... Congratulations to Classical Theatre of Harlem's sold out production of "The First Noel" and to its creators Lelund and Jason! Can't wait to get back to close the show. Thank you Ty Jones for thinking of me and to the marvelous cast that reminds why I LOVE THEATRE!!!!!!

Thursday, December 17, 2015

The First Noel is Classical Theatre of Harlem's new original Christmas musical!I was surprised and happy to get a last minute text to come on board as Star Dress/Personal Assistant to their lead actress in the show, Soara-Joye Ross. She is amazing, the cast is amazing, the show is breathtaking! Not a dry eye in the house during the show's finale. So nice to see old friends again and Lelund Thompason, the show's creator. He was cast member of Henry V, when I was Wardrobe Head. And the costumes are by award winning Costume Designer Rachel Dozier-Ezell, my former boss on Henry V!Enjoy the photos from a packed opening night at the the legendary Apollo with partners in crime!

Getting more comfortable with editing so I decided to put together my Acting Reel which consists of productions that I also wrote, directed, and produced. The last clip is from my in-progress film "A Wound in Time" in which I have a cameo a la Hitchcock! LOL

Saturday, October 3, 2015

So pleased to announce that the male lead in my feature film, "A Wound in Time", Francisco Ramos, will take on the role of the wealthy Spaniard Ferdinand Juan-Carlos Montero in "Blood Makes The Red River Flow"! Female lead, Christiana Blain, reprises the role of the reluctant concubine.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

As a native New Yorker, I don't recall ever visiting the United Nations, not even as a child on a class trip... But today I spent time at the UN as a guest at a conference on "racism" as a panel discussed "Self-Representation as a Strategy to Fight Racism" hosted by Brazil. "Racism" is one of the social issues very important to me and I was happy to be invited. I am looking forward to continuing to do my part through the arts and hopefully as part of an international collaboration.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Preparing for our upcoming rehearsal for the next shoot of A Wound In Time: The Upcoming Feature Film. We'll be blocking scenes with Lourdes (Irma Cadiz) wilding out on Tony (Francisco Ramos) on First Avenue in front of Bobby (Evan Davis), the wiseguys, Clinton (Stacey Griffin), Chee Chee (Rock Jones), and the neighbors; with Marta (Christina Laboy) purchasing a rooster; with a young Millie (Millie Ortiz) meeting her future husband Ruben (Ralph Hopkins) on the beach in Matanzas, Cuba; and with Tony chillin' on the beach in Coney Island. The rush is on to get all exteriors done before the weather changes... Thanks to those who helped in this effort.Also I'll be shopping around for a theatre to mount the entire trilogy, "Women You Thought You Knew", before year's end. Hopefully...

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The cast of "The Grinder" and I after a wonderful performance in a packed house! Bravo!

MISSION STATEMENT

Wilson Exclusive Talent Productions creates strong, compelling roles for women, and other under represented groups in theatre and film... Using the Arts to fight ignorance, foster the appreciation of diversity, tackle social issues and provide little known historical facts through engrossing storytelling!